Many foster carers already have their own children and feel they can give the same love, warmth, and opportunities to children in care. If you are in this situation, it is important to consider how becoming a carer will affect your children. Ensuring they are prepared is the best way to guarantee a great experience for everyone, as there will be some adjustments to get used to. Here are some suggestions that can help.
Talk to Them as Soon as Possible
One of the most important things to do when you decide to become a foster carer is talk to your children about it. Ideally, you should do this as soon as you make the decision or start the process so you have a few weeks or months to help them understand what is happening.
Explain why you have decided to become a carer and show them that foster children need loving and welcoming homes, too. As you do this, be open to answering any questions they have because they will have many of them.
It also helps to be prepared beforehand to anticipate what they may ask so you have the answers ready and can provide satisfactory ones. If you are considering fostering in Edinburgh, talk to a social worker about the questions to anticipate and the answers to give. You can also lean on support groups and other foster carers who have children and have welcomed children in care into their homes.
Teach Them to Be Empathetic
Children in care have been through enough, and it can help if your children can learn to be empathetic towards them and their situation. Ask them to imagine how it would be to adjust to living with a new family to help them understand the situation foster children are in.
Empathy can go a long way in helping to smoothen the transition. For example, it can make it easier for your children to share their toys and space when the time comes.
Show Them They Can Be Good Role Models
This mainly applies to families with teens who are welcoming younger poster children. Reminding your children that they can be good role models and teachers can teach them responsibility and have positive effects on their lives. It can also push them to improve their behaviour because they know the foster children will be learning from them.
Talk to Them About Sharing Attention
Foster carers should be realistic with their children about sharing their time and energy with foster children. This can be part of a broader conversation where you explain foster children require attention, and it can sometimes seem like they are receiving a disproportionate amount of it.
Remind them that you love and care about them, even in situations where it might not seem like it. Also, let them know you appreciate them allowing you to provide the same time, love, and attention to another child that needs it.
If you are considering fostering and already have children, you can use the tips above to ensure everything goes smoothly. Doing so will help make the change and adjustment easier for everyone, especially for children who might not understand what is happening at first.
